Colorado Springs regulates street trees and public park trees under City Code Chapter 13 Article 2 but does not comprehensively regulate private-property trees on single-family lots. Permits are required to plant, prune heavily, or remove trees in the public right-of-way (typically the strip between sidewalk and curb). Development projects must meet tree preservation and replacement standards under the Landscape Code.
Colorado Springs Forestry Division manages the urban forest and maintains an approved species list favoring drought-tolerant and native options (bur oak, honey locust, ponderosa pine, hackberry) and discouraging high-water or pest-vulnerable species (silver maple, Siberian elm, cottonwood in some areas). Emerald ash borer has reached the region and ash trees may be subject to mandatory removal or treatment requirements. Private-yard trees are not regulated for removal unless tied to a landscape permit or covered by HOA rules. Tree roots in sewer lines are homeowner responsibility.
Unauthorized work on street trees carries 100-to-500-dollar fines per tree. Development violations of landscape tree requirements can trigger certificate-of-occupancy holds until replacement planting is completed.
See how Colorado Springs's tree ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
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